Injured Buttler to miss England ODI series in Pakistan
Buttler suffered injury against Sri Lanka
Buttler picked up the hamstring injury during England’s ODI against Sri Lanka at Headingley last week.
The experienced batter was forced to retire hurt while batting after struggling with the injury. He later returned to the crease despite being in pain and continued his innings.
However, Buttler was unable to recover in time for England’s next ODI against Sri Lanka at The Oval. England went on to win that match by 223 runs, with Jordan Cox making a strong contribution with the bat.
McCullum confirms Buttler’s absence
McCullum confirmed that Buttler would not travel to Pakistan for the tri-series.
“Jos won't be in Pakistan,” McCullum said.
He added that Buttler is a highly professional player who will work hard to return as soon as possible, although his exact recovery period remains unclear.
“We know he's an incredible athlete, we know he's supremely fit and an ultra-professional, so he'll do everything he can to get back as soon as possible, but it's hard to judge how long that will be,” McCullum said.
The coach also acknowledged the disappointment of losing an experienced player but said the situation would allow England to assess its squad depth.
“It's disappointing not to have Jos, but it will be good for us to see where we're at,” McCullum said.
Jordan Cox gets another opportunity
Buttler’s absence is expected to give Jordan Cox another opportunity to take on a bigger role for England. Cox returned to England’s ODI side against Sri Lanka and immediately made an impact with the bat.
He scored 76 runs from 52 balls in England’s 223-run victory at The Oval. His aggressive innings helped England post a strong total before bowling Sri Lanka out for 132.
Cox has also previously been selected as a wicketkeeper-batter for England. The 25-year-old was included in England’s ODI squad for the Sri Lanka series, and Buttler’s injury could give him an extended opportunity in the role.
England face Pakistan and Sri Lanka
England will play Pakistan and Sri Lanka during the ODI tri-series in Pakistan. The tournament will be played across Rawalpindi and Lahore.
England are scheduled to face Pakistan twice and Sri Lanka twice before the final, provided they qualify for the title match. The first meeting between Pakistan and England is scheduled for October 20 at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
The two sides will meet again at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium on October 25. England will also face Sri Lanka on October 22 and October 29, while the final is scheduled for October 31 in Lahore.
Buttler reaches major white-ball milestone
Buttler’s injury comes shortly after he reached a major milestone in his international career. The England batter recently became the first Englishman to score 10,000 runs in international white-ball cricket across ODIs and T20 matches.
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His experience has made him an important part of England’s limited-overs setup. His absence will therefore allow other players to take on greater responsibility during the Pakistan series.
England prepare for important white-ball matches
England’s ODI series against Sri Lanka has provided the team with an opportunity to assess players ahead of future international competitions.
Jordan Cox’s 76 at The Oval was one of the notable performances in the series decider. England won the three-match ODI series 2-1 after securing a 223-run victory in the final match.
The upcoming tri-series in Pakistan will provide another test for England’s white-ball squad. The team will have to manage Buttler’s absence while giving other players valuable international experience.
Injury adds to England’s selection challenges
Buttler’s injury is another fitness concern for England as the team manages its squad across different formats. The England and Wales Cricket Board had already listed several players as unavailable for parts of its recent white-ball programme because of injuries.
The latest setback means England will have to rely on its available players during the Pakistan tri-series. For Cox, the situation provides an important opportunity to establish himself further in the ODI setup.
What this means for England
Buttler’s absence removes an experienced wicketkeeper-batter from England’s plans for the Pakistan tri-series. Cox now has another chance to demonstrate his ability at international level.
His recent 76 against Sri Lanka has given him a positive start ahead of the Pakistan tour. England will also have to decide how best to balance its batting and wicketkeeping options during the tournament.
